I haven't been out in the neighborhood here just north of Stanwood for a
week or so, but just got back from a morning walk with my wife. Willow
flycatchers are finally back. Heard at least 3 fitz-bews. Heard and saw
one lazuli bunting.
There were aabout 3 singing males in the neighborhood last year. I don't
remember seeing them in past years. Are they getting more common in western
Washington? Also heard a courting rufous hummingbird, then saw the pair
mating. They tore around after each other inside a 6 foot tall hawthorne
shrub. Then they stopped with the female sitting on a branch and the male
hovering over her, not motionless, but rocking back and forth over her back.
She had her tail up and to the right. Their branch was about 2 feet above
the ground. The mating act lasted about 4 seconds. Time 9:20 AM. Isn't it
late in the season for this activity? Hummingbirds are usually gone by the
end of June. Shouldn't they be well into raising their young by now?

Dan Logen
Stanwood, Wa
pdl at whidbey.net